Publikacje

Metastatic potential of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a comprehensive assessment of the draining pulmonary lymph nodes

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Metastatic potential of ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma: a comprehensive assessment of the draining pulmonary lymph nodes Hodor, Dragoș; Negoescu, Andrad; Pop, Romelia; Popa, Roxana; Borfalău, Cristina; Hașaș, Alina-Diana; Cazan, Cristina Daniela; Savage, Jennifer; Cousens, Chris; Aharoni, Kobi; Hilbe, Monika; Rosato, Giuliana; Dumitru, Iris; Olech, Monika; Bocăneț, Vlad I.; Cătoi, Cornel; Taulescu, Marian; Toma, Corina Ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA), caused by Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV; family Retroviridae, taxon species Betaretrovirus ovijaa), is a viral oncogenic lung disease in sheep. Its metastatic potential remains under-evaluated. We investigated macrometastases (MACs), micrometastases (MICs), and isolated tumor cells (ITCs) in regional draining lymph nodes (DLNs) using histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Samples from 41 lung tumors and their regional DLNs were obtained from slaughtered Țurcană sheep. Histologically, all cases were diagnosed as OPAs. The classical or mixed OPA was observed in 37 of 41 (90%) cases; the remaining tumors were the atypical form. In 10 cases, myxoid growths were also detected. For IHC, anti-multicytokeratin, thyroid transcription factor 1, and JSRV antibodies were used to detect metastatic cells within DLNs. Neoplastic cells were identified in 16 of 41 (39%) DLNs, including 2 MAC, 7 MIC, and 7 ITC cases. Lung tumors >7 cm were significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). A random forest model incorporating tumor volume, necrosis, mitotic count, and Ki67 index achieved the best performance (AUC = 0.70; accuracy = 62.5%; F1 = 0.57) for metastasis prediction. A benign epithelial inclusion was found within a DLN in one case, which has not been reported previously, to our knowledge. We found that OPA has a higher metastatic potential than previously recognized, particularly in larger tumors. Multivariate analysis, including additional tumor markers, likely would improve metastasis prediction. Our findings advance our understanding of OPA progression and its relevance as a comparative model for human lung adenocarcinoma.

Evaluation of the Flashtest multiplex qPCR system for rapid pre-laboratory screening for African swine fever infection

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Evaluation of the Flashtest multiplex qPCR system for rapid pre-laboratory screening for African swine fever infection Walczak, Marek; Adaszek, Łukasz Introduction: African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boar. As no safe vaccine is currently available, prevention relies primarily on strict biosecurity measures. Early diagnosis is essential to reduce the risk of ASF spread. Among the available methods, qPCR is considered the gold standard and is recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health. The Flashtest system is designed to perform the complete workflow, from genetic material extraction to qPCR analysis, enabling rapid (under 1 hour) and accurate detection of various animal diseases in veterinary practice. Material and Methods: In this study, the Flashtest system was evaluated in ASF detection using blood samples collected during ASF outbreaks in 2025 in Poland and samples from experimentally infected pigs. Its performance was compared with a validated commercial qPCR assay employed by the National Reference Laboratory for ASF in Poland. Results: The system achieved up to 97% sensitivity, 100% specificity and reproducibility with a coefficient of variation below 3.5%. The limit of detection was estimated at 10³ TCID₅₀/mL, and a slightly reduced amplification efficiency was observed. Conclusion: These results indicate that the Flashtest system reliably detects ASF in the majority of cases. Nevertheless, confirmatory testing is recommended for samples with low viral loads.

West Nile Virus in Poland, what do we need to know about this infectious agent in 2025 — latest data

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

West Nile Virus in Poland, what do we need to know about this infectious agent in 2025 — latest data Niczyporuk, Samanta Jowita; Kozdruń, Wojciech; Grabarczyk, Piotr West Nile virus (WNV) belongs to Flaviviridae family, genus Orthoflavivirus, species Orthoflavivirus nilense, and responsible for dangerous zoonosis, West Nile Fever (WNF). It is the most widespread arbovirus in the world. Is a neurotropic agent, transmitted by mosquitoes’ vectors mostly Culex genus, while the virus reservoir are wild and migratory birds various species. Virus transmission is also possible during blood transfusion and its components and organ transplantation, which is particularly dangerous for hematological and oncohematological patients. Encephalitis can occur in humans, and the virus has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Global warming is undoubtedly a significant factor in the emergence of this pathogen in regions where it has not previously occurred.

Fatal poisoning of Old Polish ducks with Amanita muscaria

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Fatal poisoning of Old Polish ducks with Amanita muscaria Stępień-Pyśniak, Dagmara; Tutaj, Krzysztof; Niczyporuk, Jowita S.; Sell, Bartosz; Marek, Agnieszka; Piekarska, Karolina; Ognik, Katarzyna Background: Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) is a poisonous mushroom containing ibotenic acid (IBA) and muscimol (MUS), two neuroactive alkaloids capable of causing severe or fatal intoxication. While human poisoning is well documented, information on fatal intoxication in birds is limited. This report presents the first documented case of fatal poisoning of Old Polish ducks following ingestion of A. muscaria, confirmed by anatomopathological and toxicological analyses. Methods: Post-mortem specimens, including blood, heart, brain, kidney, liver, lung, pectoral and femoral muscles, and gastrointestinal contents, were subjected to LC–MS/MS analysis for the determination of IBA and MUS. Tissue samples were homogenized, extracted, derivatized, and quantified using multiple reaction monitoring. Mushroom caps and stems collected from the environment were analyzed using the same analytical approach. To exclude alternative toxicological etiologies, liver, muscle, kidney, and gastric contents were screened for rodenticides, pesticides, mycotoxins, and other chemical toxicants by LC–MS/MS. Viral infections were excluded by PCR and RT-PCR assays targeting DNA and RNA viruses commonly affecting waterfowl. In addition, comprehensive bacteriological, mycological, and parasitological examinations were conducted. Results: Post-mortem examination revealed lamellar mushroom fragments in the glandular stomach and congestion in the caeca and brain. Ibotenic acid (IBA) concentrations across tissues ranged from 4 to 1987 µg/kg, while muscimol (MUS) ranged from 2 to 66 µg/kg. In gastrointestinal contents, IBA and MUS concentrations ranged from 16.2 to 1110.5 µg/g and from 2 to 41.3 µg/g, respectively. Analysis of environmental mushroom material showed higher toxin levels in caps (871.7 µg/g IBA; 197.5 µg/g MUS) than in stems (206.6 µg/g IBA; 15.3 µg/g MUS). Screening of liver, muscle, kidney, and gastric contents excluded the presence of rodenticides, pesticides, mycotoxins, and other chemical toxicants, while PCR/RT-PCR and comprehensive bacteriological, mycological, and parasitological examinations ruled out viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.